MPV Commentary

1. The entire community gathered together as one at the water gate on the south rampart of Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of trumpets, a significant festival marking the beginning of the seventh month and the Jewish civil year.

They requested Ezra, the scribe, to bring the book of the law of Moses, which he had compiled in his years of service. Although Ezra had returned to Jerusalem with Nehemiah and was involved in the reform efforts, he had largely devoted himself to producing a complete edition of the canonical Scriptures.

The public reading of the Scriptures was required by law every seventh year, but this practice had fallen into disuse during their captivity. The fact that there was a strong desire among the returned exiles to hear God's word read to them indicates a significant improvement in their religious sentiment.

4. Ezra stood on a wooden platform or pulpit, which allowed him to be seen by all. He began reading aloud from morning until midday, with the assistance of other priests who were present. Their presence was important not only for their agreement with Ezra's declaration of divine truth but also for sharing in the duty of publicly reading and explaining the Scripture.

5. When Ezra opened the book, everyone stood up, likely out of respect for God's word or as a response to the solemn prayer that preceded the reading, which concluded with a general expression of "Amen, Amen."

7-8. Ezra caused the people to understand the law by giving them the sense of what he read. Commentators have differing opinions on this statement, but it is possible that the Levites assisted by explaining to the people, many of whom had become ignorant, what Ezra had read.